“For a number of people the requirement to take a DBS check is interpreted as ‘are you accusing me of abusing children?’.”

Clergy who do not stay up to date with safeguarding training can be hauled before disciplinary tribunals, Bishop Warner added.

He said: ““While apologies can begin to sound formulaic, I do want to register my sorrow and apology for the sexual abuse of children that has taken place in the Diocese of Chichesrer and for the ways in which it has been mishandled in the past.

“I also want to say I grieve for the loss of access to faith that this has often resulted in.

“That has sustained my energies in wanting to make sure the diocese reforms and never allows itself to fall into the failure we have done in the past.”